The UK Government has announced funding for 10,000 new school places for SEND children, delivering on its Plan for Change
More SEND children will be supported to thrive in their local schools following a £740m investment to deliver adaptations, expand specialist units in mainstream schools, and create new places in special schools. This funding will enable children to succeed at schools close to their homes and families.
Lack of support for SEND children in schools
Currently, fewer than one in ten mainstream schools have specialist SEN units or resources that can provide sufficient support for SEND children.
Figures indicate that between 2010 and 2024, the number of children with EHCPs (or their previous equivalent) being educated in independent special schools increased from 7,000 to 26,000. Furthermore, recent data has highlighted an increasing gap of 8,000 places in state special schools.
The funding will be prioritised for creating inclusive environments, such as breakout spaces where SEND children can self-regulate, and investing in assistive technology.
Bridget Phillipson, Education Secretary, said: “As part of our Plan for Change, we want every family to have access to a good local school for their child, breaking the link between children’s backgrounds and their opportunities in life.This investment is a big step towards delivering not only enough school places, but the right school places, supporting all children—particularly those with SEND—and addressing the significant gaps in provision we inherited.
This investment will give children with SEND the support they need to thrive, marking the start of a turning point for families who have been fighting to improve their children’s outcomes.”
Urgent need for SEND system reform
The SEND system urgently needs an overhaul to ensure children’s needs are identified and met earlier. Research shows that school-based nurseries often have a proportion of SEND children, highlighting the need to equip early years staff with essential SEND knowledge.
New guidance now urges local authorities to use their capital funding for SEND children to create school places in local mainstream schools, further supporting families’ needs.
One example is Iveson Primary School in Leeds, Yorkshire. The school has integrated a resourced provision to help SEND children build skills in a supportive environment, foster inclusion, and develop confidence.
Hayley Marshall, Headteacher at Iveson Primary School, said: “Opening The Aviary, a resourced provision at Iveson Primary, has had a significant positive impact on the whole school community. It has enabled us to provide specialist facilities with a high-quality, adapted curriculum for pupils with SEND, alongside our mainstream provision. This fosters integration and inclusion, supporting children to thrive and feel confident in school alongside their peers.”
Sarah Clarke and Jo Harrison, Directors and Co-Chairs of the National Network of Parent Carer Forums C.I.C, said: “The NNPCF welcomes the government’s commitment of £740 million in capital funding for the 2025–26 financial year to support the creation of school places for children and young people with SEND.
“For too long, families have faced limited options and long waits for appropriate support. Creating more inclusive environments—where children and young people with special educational needs can thrive alongside their peers—is a positive step forward.
We look forward to continued collaboration with the Department for Education to ensure that parent carers’ voices remain central to the development and implementation of these plans. We also hope that local authorities will work closely with their local Parent Carer Forums to ensure the lived experience and voices of parent carers are at the heart of local delivery.”
